According to the Saffir-Simpson Scale, a category 1 typhoon sustains winds between 119 and 153 km/hour (km/h). It is the first notable stage in the formation of a hurricane. It comprises a system of circulating thunderstorms and clouds. Morakot was a category 1 typhoon that affected areas of South Korea, China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan in 2009. It sustained winds of 140 km/h.
A category 2 typhoon has winds between 154 and 177 km/h. According to the Japan Meteorological Department, category 2 storms are further categorized into tropical storms and severe tropical storms. According to "Disaster Medicine," a tropical storm is a system of intense thunderstorms that progressively intensifies. Allison was a tropical storm that destroyed parts of Texas in 2001, causing over $5 billion in infrastructure damage and 41 deaths. Severe tropical storm Molave caused five deaths when it hit the coast of Hong Kong in mid-2009.
A strong typhoon is a system of low pressure and intense winds (between 178 and 209 km/h). Typhoon Maemi struck South Korea in 2003, causing 117 deaths and millions of dollars in industrial, agricultural and infrastructure damage. Typhoon Krosa slammed into Taiwan (in October 2007) before heading into China. It sustained winds of 195 km/h.
An intense typhoon sustains high winds of 210 to 249 km/h and is classified as a category-5 storm, which carries the highest element of risk. The 1979 Pacific typhoon Tip is the largest cyclone in recorded history (with a diameter of 2,220 km). It affected areas of Guam and Japan, causing 86 direct fatalities and another 13 indirect fatalities. In 1975, Typhoon Elsie hit Hong Kong, raging from October 9th to October 15th, sustaining high winds (250 km/h) and intense thunderstorms.
A violent typhoon is characterized by winds exceeding 249 km/h. Typhoon Sepat was classified by the JTWC as a category 5 typhoon. It touched down on August 11th, 2007, affecting parts of the Philippines, Taiwan and Mainland China. Sepat sustained winds of 260 km/h, causing at least 43 fatalities and $692.5 million in damage.
